Born in the rural town of Randolph, Utah, with a childhood and youth
spent riding horses and playing in the school marching band, Elder Monte J.
Brough would grow to found a highly successful computer services company
and ultimately become a General Authority of the Church, what President
Thomas S. Monson called "a man for all seasons."

President Monson made that characterization Sept. 26 in his address at
the funeral of Elder Brough, who died Sept. 20. An emeritus General
Authority since 2007 and a former member of the Presidency of the Seventy,
Elder Brough was 72.

Speaking at the service in the Kaysville Utah West Stake Center,
President Monson shared a letter he had written to Elder Brough's wife,
Sister Lanette Brough, and their family, on behalf of the First
Presidency.

"Elder Brough's life was a model of diligence and hard work," the letter
read. "His example of devotion as husband, father, grandfather and stalwart
servant of the Lord influenced the lives of loved ones and all with whom he
came in contact. We are confident that your family members will take
comfort in the quality of his life and the memories you share of his
abiding love for his family, his humor, his lifelong efforts to accomplish
his dreams, his testimony of the gospel."

The letter made reference to Elder Brough's service to the Church as a
missionary, bishop, regional representative, member of the Young Men
General Board, president of the Minnesota Minneapolis Mission "and the
numerous assignments he willingly fulfilled as a member of the First and
Second Quorums of the Seventy."

Photo by R. Scott Lloyd

Pallbearers carry the casket of Elder Monte J. Brough from Kaysville Utah West Stake Center following service on Monday, Sept. 26. An emeritus General Authority, Elder Brough had been a member of the Presidency of the Seventy.

In remarks prior to reading the letter, President Monson said of Elder
Brough, "You could put him with anyone, and that partner would become a
better partner. You could put him anywhere in the world and that part of
the world would be ready for harvest, because he knew how to build the
kingdom of God in mortality. He's not only one in a million, he's one in
your heart, and I thank God for him."

During his service as General Authority, Elder Brough was president of
the Asia Area and North America Southeast Area of the Church.

A eulogy was given by Val Hanney, a half-brother to Elder Brough
(Monte's father, Richard Muir Brough, died shortly after the births of
Monte and his younger brother, Max, and their mother remarried). He
recounted that while Elder Brough was executive director of the Family
History Department, one of his assignments as a General Authority, he
conceived of an Internet genealogy service. The Internet was new then, and
Elder Brough had to explain it in terms the Brethren could understand. The
idea Elder Brough had was developed into what today is FamilySearch.org, which
has blessed millions of people.

Eldest grandchild Whitney Brough Smith read a letter from her younger
brother, Mallin, currently serving a mission in Uganada, written to Elder
Brough two months before his death. The letter alluded to the affliction
that beset Elder Brough in his latter years. "I remember the many times you
expressed to me that you wish I could have seen the man you once were," it
read. "I want you to know, Grandpa, that I have seen, maybe not in the way
you would want. The man you are and were is apparent all around this world.
I have now had two General Authorities shake my hand while on this mission,
look into my eyes and say, 'It is a pleasure to meet the grandson of Elder
Brough.' "

Each of the seven Brough children, now grown with families of their own,
gave a brief tribute to their father.

Youngest daughter Kami Kilgore said she was recently feeling discouraged
about her pregnancy. Her father told her, "Oh, Kami, I wish there were an
easier way to get them here," then said tearfully, "This is the greatest
thing you could do. The work your mother has done is far greater than
anything I've ever accomplished."

Eldest son Joe, who presides over the Guatemala Guatemala City Mission,
wrote this in a letter read at the funeral: "Dad, you always found time for
each member of your family, especially the children. While doing this, you
were still able to place the Lord first."

One of the speakers was Max Brough, Elder Brough's younger brother by 13
months, who currently presides over the Baton Rouge Louisiana Temple. As
boys close in age, he said, they shared a bedroom growing up. Some people
know their hometown of Randolph, he said, only because it is frequently on
the weather reports as the coldest spot in Utah.

"But I learned early to say my prayers before I went to bed," he said,
"because he would come home, wake me up, and ask, 'Did you say your
prayers?' If I hadn't, he'd get me out of bed in the cold, and we'd kneel
down and say our prayers together."

The two developed the nickname "Brow" or "Browser" for each other,
derived from the way professors at the University of Utah would
mispronounce their last name, which is correctly pronounced "Bruff."
President Brough said that in recent weeks he would call his brother every
three or four days. Elder Brough's affliction got to the state that he was
unable to make his speech understood on the telephone. At one point, Monte
told Max, "Don't hang up, Brow. Even if we don't talk to each other, the
fact that I know you're on the other end of this line makes me feel
better."